About the Ann W. and Spencer T. Olin-Chancellor’s Fellowship
The Ann W. and Spencer T. Olin-Chancellor’s Fellowship (OCF) is an elite cohort of outstanding graduate students representing a rich tapestry of backgrounds and varied disciplines. Aligned with WashU’s goals of fostering excellence in teaching, research, scholarship, and service, the OCF is dedicated to nurturing a wide array of distinctive perspectives and disciplines. This program aims to empower future scholars and leaders who will contribute to advancing knowledge and addressing challenges in our global society through innovation, integrity, and diverse intellectual endeavors.
The OCF offers a competitive award package and a best-in-class graduate fellowship experience. Fellows receive exceptional professional development opportunities, access to unique resources, networking, programming, and mentorship opportunities that will empower them to demonstrate all-round excellence. Our Fellows will reinforce the ethos of the program through sustained engagement as students and alumni.
Program Benefits
- $46,500 annual stipend (AY2025-26 rate) for the defined program length, or for up to 5 years, whichever comes first.
- Full tuition scholarship
- $1,500 annual research stipend
- 100% health subsidy (includes health, dental and wellness fees)
- Access to priority housing for Fellows (through Quadrangle Housing) adjacent to both the Danforth & Medical campuses, subject to availability
- OCF exclusive events and activities
- Access to exceptional professional development programming through The Graduate Center
Student Eligibility
The OCF is open to all incoming students who meet the eligibility criteria below. Race, color, national origin, shared ancestry or ethnic characteristics, sex, or other protected characteristics are not considered as part of admission or any other aspect of participation in the program.
- Students must be of the highest caliber having an exceptional academic record as well as a compelling background and vision for the future. Students must be admitted to their program of study to receive a fellowship.
- Students must be pursuing a terminal (e.g., PhD or JD) degree in their field. This can be a terminal practice degree.
- Students must have received an undergraduate degree from a U.S. institution. A U.S. institution is one whose accrediting agency is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
How to Apply
The OCF application may be completed in the application status portal, once the academic program application is submitted. Applicants will apply through their academic program’s admissions platform*. Applicants should be certain to apply by the program’s published application deadline.
If an applicant is eligible for the OCF program, the program application portal will automatically display the OCF fellowship application. Applicants must submit the required OCF essay and resume/CV to be considered for the fellowship.
Please note that the academic program admission decision is entirely separate from the fellowship decision. Those interested in and eligible for the OCF program are highly encouraged to apply. While applicants may apply to multiple programs, selected Fellows may only accept one program offer. Joint appointments are not available.
*Law school applicants, please indicate your interest in the OCF program on your law school application. You will be provided login credentials to submit your OCF application online.
Fellowship Essay Prompt
In 1,000 words or less, please indicate the reasons for your interest in the Olin-Chancellor’s Fellowship and articulate:
1) How your background and lived experience have influenced your decision to pursue graduate study in your discipline,
2) How you will contribute to both the Olin-Chancellor’s Fellowship community and the broader WashU community during your graduate studies, and
3) Your desired career pathway upon graduation and plans for the future as they relate to your studies.
The application for fellowship is only available when completing the application for your graduate program.
Here is a list of the most common questions asked during the fellowship application process:
Do I apply to the fellowship at the same time as I apply to my program?
Yes. Applicants who eligible for OCF are able to apply through their program application portal after the academic program application is submitted.
Law school applicants, please indicate your interest in the OCF program on your law school application, or by emailing applylaw@wustl.edu. You will be emailed with login credentials to access the application status portal to submit your OCF application online.
I have a master’s degree from a U.S. institution. Am I eligible to apply for the Fellowship?
Neither the origin nor the completion of your master’s degree impacts your eligibility for this program. Students must have received an undergraduate degree from a U.S. institution. A U.S. institution is one whose accrediting agency is recognized by the U.S. Department of Education or the Council for Higher Education Accreditation (CHEA).
When is the Fellowship application deadline? Do I have to submit my Fellowship materials at the same time as my program application?
The OCF application deadline is tied to your program deadline. Applicants who are eligible for OCF are able to apply through their program application portal after the submission of the academic program application.
My degree program admissions application does not require test scores (e.g., GRE, etc.). How should I proceed?
The OCF does not require submission of official or unofficial test scores.
Will my OCF application impact my program application decision?
The academic program admission review process and decision are entirely separate from the fellowship decision. Those interested in and eligible for the OCF program are highly encouraged to apply. Students must be admitted to their program of study to receive a fellowship.
What is the application prompt?
In 1,000 words or less, please indicate the reasons for your interest in the OCF and articulate: 1) How your background and lived experience have influenced your decision to pursue graduate study in your discipline, 2) How you will contribute to both the Olin-Chancellor’s Fellowship community and the broader WashU community during your graduate studies, and 3) Your desired career pathway upon graduation and plans for the future as they relate to your studies.
What programs are eligible?
Students must be pursuing a terminal (e.g., PhD or JD) degree in their field. This can be a terminal practice degree.
Not all programs are eligible for the OCF. If you meet the OCF eligibility requirements and the OCF application prompt does not appear in your program application portal, it is likely that the program is not eligible. If there appears to be an error, please contact us.
Will the OCF review committee review my academic program materials?
No, your academic program application and the OCF application are separate. The OCF review committee considers your OCF essay and resume/CV and will not review any personal statements or program application materials. You may reuse parts of your personal statement for your OCF application if you choose.
Can you confirm receipt of my academic program materials?
OCF applications are submitted in conjunction with your program application. Please check with the admissions contact in your specific academic program to confirm receipt of your OCF application.
How will applicants be notified of the outcome of their OCF application?
Applicants selected for an OCF fellowship will be notified at the time of program admission as part of your program offer letter.
Applicants who are admitted to their degree program but who are not offered an OCF fellowship will not be notified separately. There will be no OCF information in their admissions offer letter.
Please contact us at olinchancellorsfellowship@wustl.edu if you have questions.
“The Ann W. and Spencer T. Olin-Chancellor’s Fellowship is instrumental in our efforts to recruit outstanding graduate students of the highest caliber to WashU. These Fellows contribute to the academic distinction of WashU and we all benefit from the presence of a multitude of disciplines represented and perspectives shared.”
Vijay Ramani, senior vice provost for graduate education and international affairs
Meet our Fellows
Please contact us at olinchancellorsfellowship@wustl.edu if you have questions.
Sylvia Sukop
Germanic Languages & Literatures | Entering Year: 2021 | Alice Milnor Norton Memorial Olin Fellowship
Annual Reports
Inquiries about compliance should be addressed to:
Vice Chancellor for Human Resources
Washington University
Campus Box 1184
One Brookings Drive
St. Louis, MO 63130
Specific information may be obtained from the departmental or administrative unit to which the student intends to apply.
Washington University encourages and gives full consideration to all applicants for admission, financial aid, and mentorship. The University does not discriminate in access to, or treatment of mentees in, its programs and activities on the basis of race, color, age, religion, sex, sexual orientation, gender identity or expression, national origin, veteran status, disability or genetic information.